Jim Stark

Jim Stark, CFA, is Principal and Portfolio Manager at CastleArk Management LLC in Chicago, where he co-manages the firm's Small Cap Growth and SMID Growth strategies. He focuses on U.S. small-cap equities, applying a rigorous fundamental approach to identify companies undergoing sustainable, positive fundamental change that is often mispriced by the market. Key sectors under his coverage typically span technology, healthcare, consumer, and industrials, reflecting broad diversification across small cap growth equities.

With over 30 years of investment industry experience, Jim began his career as an equity analyst at Investment & Capital Management, before roles at Kemper Financial Services and then American Century as a small cap growth portfolio manager. He later joined M&I Investment Management as Senior Portfolio Manager, and since 2007 has played a pivotal role at CastleArk Management, helping the firm build its reputation in small- and SMID- cap growth investing.

Jim holds an MM/MBA in Finance and Marketing from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a BBA in Finance from the Wisconsin School of Business. He is recognized for his expertise in small cap growth strategies, disciplined risk management, and his contribution to advancing research-driven investment processes in the small-cap sector.